Maternal Health

Some facts about Maternal Health in Virginia:

Virginia has lost 12 obstetrics programs in the last seven years:

1. Alleghany Regional Hospital, Low Moor
2. Bedford Memorial Hospital, Bedford
3. Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy
4. John Randolph Medical Center, Hopewell
5. Mountain View Regional Medical Center, Norton
6. Pulaski Community Hospital, Pulaski
7. Rappahannock General Hospital, Kilmarnock
8. Russell County Medical Center, Lebanon
9. Sentara Careplex Hospital, Hampton   
10. Shenandoah Memorial Hospital, Woodstock
11. Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center, Emporia
12. Stonewall Jackson, Lexington

In 2008 there were 22 hospitals with less than 700 deliveries per year (2 per day). 

• All of these hospitals had 50% or more of their births covered by Medicaid. 
• Two of these programs closed in 2009; both had Medicaid birth rates in the 60%-69% range.
• The remaining 20 programs are all at-risk representing 38% of all programs statewide.
• Of the 20, most have 60-69% of their births covered by Medicaid.
• At four hospitals, more than 70% of births are covered by Medicaid.

Loss of these programs has also reduced the access to pre-natal care in these areas. What should be done to improve Maternal Health in Virginia?

• Should women have access to all evidence-based maternity care practices?
• Should there be "critical care access OB health care providers"  that provide "safety net" care to all patients, no matter their insurance coverage?
• Should women be able to choose their optimal birth experience based on their medical risk factor criteria? 
• Should the birthing center pilot project be expanded?
• What other options should be considered?

Get your seat at the table! Help VRHA develop a strategic plan for advocacy for Maternal Health by attending this discussion.

Moderator: Margaret Bassett, MPH, MS, RN

Panelists:

Kris Conrad, CNM
Carilion Blacksburg OB/GYN Associates

Cathleen Callahan, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.O.G.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Floyd Heater
Shenandoah Memorial Hospital

Day 1 - defining the issues

On the first day, participants had the opportunity to hear a panel discussion on each topic, but the focus was on sharing of information ideas and concerns.  They panelists only had a few minutes to speak, and then the participants were lead in a facilitated discussion to help them identify the top two issues on each topic. 

Day 2- finding solutions

While the first day identified issues, the second day was all about finding solutions.   Each of the top issues from the previous day was given its own discussion table.  Participants were asked to rotate between tables and asked a series of questions so that the issues may be considered from a variety of perspectives which would lead to constructive solutions.